Guard device for table saws and the like



July 17, 1956 H. A. JOSLIN GUARD DEVICE FOR TABLE SAWS AND THE LIKEFiled Nov. 15, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR. HERBERT A JOSLl/V BY fat /JTTO/EWEVS.

July 17, 1956 H. A. JOSLIN GUARD'DEVICE FOR TABLE SAWS AND THE LIKE 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NOV. 15, 1954 R. N w 0 W5 W4 m E B m H ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent GUARD DEVICE FOR TABLE SAWS AND THE LIKE Herbert A.Joslin, Norwalk, Calif. Application November 15, 1954, Serial No.468,641 6 Claims. (Cl. 143159) The present invention relates generallyto manually fed power tools and more particularly to a novel guarddevice that is especially adapted for use with power tools incorporatinga rotatable cutter disc.

There have been heretofore proposed several types of guards forprotecting the hands and fingers of workmen utilizing power tools, suchas a circular saw, incorporating a rotatable cutter disc. Generally,however, such guards have met with the disfavor of workmen inasmuch asthey seriously interfere with the cutting operation. Accordingly, at hisfirst opportunity at workman will disconnect the guard and perform hisduties without its protection. A considerable number of accidents resultyearly from such practice.

It is a major object of the present invention to provide a novel andimproved guard for use with a rotatable cutter disc.

Another object of the invention is to provide a guard of theaforedescribed nature that does not interfere with a cutting operationand hence meets with the approval of workmen.

A further object is to provide a guard device of the aforedescribednature which is simple of design and rugged of construction whereby itmay afford a long and trouble-free service life.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a guard that is lightin weight and compact in size.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a guard of theaforedescribed nature which may be fabricated from readily availablematerials by common manufacturing processes whereby it may be sold at aprice which is comparable with, or even lower than, existing guarddevices.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a guard which may becompletely removed from the vicinity of the cutter disc when suchremovability becomes necessary or desirable.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome more apparent from the following detailed description of apreferred embodiment thereof, when taken in conjunction with theappended drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a general perspective view of a preferred form of guarddevice embodying the present invention as it appears when utilized inconjunction with a circular saw;

Figures 2 through 5 are side elevational views of the component parts ofsaid guard;

Figure 6 is an enlarged view of the encircled area designated 6 inFigure 3;

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of two of saidcomponent parts;

Figures 8 through 11 are side elevational views showing the mode ofoperation of said guard; and

Figure 12 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken on line 12--12 ofFigure 11.

Referring to the drawings and particularly Figure 1 thereof, thepreferred form of guard device G embodying the present invention isdisclosed in conjunction with a conventional circular or table saw T.The latter includes a horizontal table 20 from the upper surface ofwhich protrudes a vertically extending circular saw blade 22. The sawblade 22 is rotated about a horizontal axis by means of an electricmotor (not shown) mounted below the table 26. The guard device G ismounted upon the lower end of a suitable hanger device H whereby it maybe raised or lowered relative to the table 20 while remaining invertical alignment with the saw blade 22. The exact construction of thehanger H does not fall within the scope of the invention covered hereinand this hanger may assume various forms. Preferably, however, itsconstruction will permit the guard G to be completely removed from theimmediate vicinity of the table 20 when the operation to be performedwith the saw so requires.

With reference now to the remaining figures of the drawings, thepreferred form of guard G includes a plurality (preferably four) of fiatplate elements designated 30, 32, 34 and 36. The plate elements 30 and36 are identical in construction and are shown in side elevation inFigure 5. The plate elements 32 and 34 are shown in side elevation inFigures 3 and 4, respectively. In an assembled guard G, these plateelements are stacked together whereby they cooperate to form a centerportion (elements 32 and 34) which is disposed between a pair of outerportions (elements 36 and 36). The elements 32 and 34 cooperate todefine an upwardly extending pocket 33 for receiving the saw blade 22.The-upper portion of the plate elements 30, 32, 34 and 36 are joinedbyconnection means (to be fully described hereinafter) which permit themto undergo independent or joint vertical movement relative to the sawblade 22 in a direction normal to the blades axis of rotation.

As indicated in Figure 5, the plate elements 30 and 36 each include aflat lower edge 40 and an upper edge 42 which is parallel thereto. Thefront ends of the upper and lower edges are connected by a downwardlyand rearwardly sloped front edge 44 while the rear ends thereof areconnected by an arcuate rear edge 46. An upwardly extending ear 48 ofgenerally rectangular shape forms an integral upward extension of themid-portion of the upper edge 42 of these two plate elements. This ear48 is formed with a vertical slot 50.

With reference now to Figures 3 and 4, the plate elements 32 and 34 aresimilar when viewed in side elevation. They are formed at theirmid-portion with upwardly extending recesses 49 and 51, respectively,which define the pocket 38 for receiving the saw blade 22. These plateelements likewise include upper edges 52, front edges 54, rear edges 56and ears 58 that are similar in configuration to their counterparts inplate elements 30 and 36, the latter being designated 42, 44, 46 and 48,in Figure 5. The cars 58 are each formed with a'vertical slot 64} whichare aligned with the slots 50 formed in plate elements 30 and 36. Itshould be noted, however, that the plate element 32 is of greater widththan the other plate elements. This will be made clear by reference toFigures 7 and 12 of the drawings, and with particular reference thereto,the plate element 32 may conveniently be formed by integrally joiningthe side surfaces of two members 32a and 32b of equal thickness. As willlikewise be made clear by reference to Figures 7 and 12, only one of themembers 32a will be formed with the ear 58, the mid-portion of the upperedge of the member 32b terminating in an upwardly facing, downwardlycurved, semi-circular surface 62.

Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 7, the guard G is adapted to be secured tothe lower end of the hanger H by means of a fiat hanging tab 64. Thistab 64 may be of the same width and thickness as the ears 48 and 58 andit is formed at its lower portion with a horizontal bore 66. The shapeof the lower edge of the tab 64 may conform to that of the semi-circularsurface 62 of the plate element 32.

As indicated in Figure 12, the plate elements 30, 32, 34 and 36 areadapted to be interconnected by means of a horizontal bolt 72 upon whichis threaded a nut 73. This bolt 72 carries a pair of bushings 74 and 75having collar portions 76 and 77, respectively. The bushings 74 and 75are inserted through the slots 50 and 6% of the ears 4t and 48, and thebore 66 of the hanging tab 64. A washer 78 will preferably be interposedbetween the nut 73 and the adjacent side of the collar 77 of the bushing75. The upper portion of the hanging tab 64 is secured to the lower endof the hanger H in a suitable manner, as indicated in Figures 1 and 12.

In the operation of the guard G, the hanger H will be adjusted so as topermit the lower edges of the plate elements 30, 32, 34 and 36 to restupon the upper surface of the table 20. Referring now to Figures 1 and8, a piece of wood 90, or the like, to be sawed may then be advancedtoward the saw blade 22. When the leading edge 92 of the wood engagesthe downwardly and rearwardly sloped front edges of the plate elements,the front end of the latter will be cammed upwardly relative to theupper surface of the table 20, the rear portion of the guard remainingupon the table. As indicated in Figure 8, at this time the major portionof the saw blade 22 will be covered by the side plate elements 30 and 36whereby they will serve to shield the workmans fingers from contact withthe teeth of said blade.

Referring now to Figure 9, as the wood 90 is urged rearwardly relativeto the saw blade 22, the rear portion of the guard G will be lifted offthe table and will eventually be riding upon the upper surface of thewood. At this time the wood 76 and the side plate elements 30 and 36will cooperate to cover the saw blade 22. As the plate elements areraised relative to the table 22, the bolt 72 remains stationary, theslots 50 and 60 permitting these elements to undergo vertical movementrelative to said bolt.

Referring now to Figure 10, as the saw cut is completed through thepiece of wood 90, the trailing edge 93 of the latter will move out frombelow the guard G. At this time the front end of the plate elements willdrop onto the table 20, as indicated in this figure. In this position,the major portion of the saw blade 22 will be covered by the side plateelements 30 and 36 so as to protect the workman from contact therewith.

Referring now to Figures 11 and 12, the guard G is especially useful inmaking a narrow cut from one edge of a piece of wood 98. This is truebecause one of the side plate elements 36 will remain with its loweredge 40 resting upon the upper surface of the table even though theother three plate elements 30, 32 and 34 are cammed upwardly so as toride upon the upper surface of the wood 98. Hence, the plate element 36will shield one side of the saw blade 22 at all times during such asawing operation.

With reference again to Figures 3, 4 and 6, the lower front portion ofthe recesses 4-9 and 51 are formed with a vertically extending surface100. This surface 100 is useful when the saw is employed to cut off acomparatively thin stick of wood from a larger piece, such surfaceserving to restrain the thin stick from kicking back toward the workman.

It will be apparent that the plate elements of the guard G may be formedof several suitable materials. It should likewise be noted that thewidth and number of these plate elements may be varied. Likewise, thespacing between the plate elements may be varied if desired, as by theuse of bushings. While the saw blade has been shown as being stationaryrelative to the work in the foregoing description, it will be apparentthat under certain conditions the guard of the present invention may beutilized with a saw blade that moves relative to the work during acutting operation. These and other modifications and changes fall withinthe spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A guard for use with a vertically extending cutting disc, comprising:a plurality of stacked plate elements that cooperate to define a centerportion disposed between a pair of outer portions, said center portionbeing formed with an upwardly extending disc-receiving pocket; avertical surface formed at the lower front portion of said pocket; and,connection means joining said plate elements whereby they may undergoindependent vertical movement relative to said disc.

2. A guard for use with a vertically extending cutting disc as thelatter is employed to cut a piece of work, comprising: a plurality ofstacked plate elements that cooperate to define a center portiondisposed between a pair of outer portions, said center portion beingformed with an upwardly extending disc-receiving pocket; a verticalsurface formed at the lower front portion of said pocket; a downwardlyand rearwardly inclined surface formed on the front of each of saidplate elements; and, connection means joining said plate elementswhereby they may undergo independent vertical movement relative to saiddisc as the front of said plate elements engages the leading edge ofsaid piece of work.

3. A guard for use with a rotatable cutting disc that is disposedadjacent to a member having a horizontal surface, said disc beingarranged at a right angle to said horizontal surface, comprising: aplurality of horizontally stacked plate elements that cooperate todefine a center portion disposed between a pair of outer portions, thelower edgs of all said plate elements normally resting upon saidhorizontal surface and said center portion being formed with an upwardlyextending disc-receiving pocket; and, connection means joining saidplate elements whereby they may undergo independent upward verticalmovement relative to said horizontal surface.

4. A guard for use with a rotatable cutting disc that is disposedadjacent to a member having a horizontal surface, said disc beingarranged at a right angle to said horizontal surface, comprising: aplurality of horizontally stacked plate elements that cooperate todefine a center portion disposed between a pair of outer portions, thelower edges of all said plate elements normally resting upon saidhorizontal surface, and said center portion being formed with anupwardly extending disc-receiving pocket; a vertical surface formed atthe lower front portion of said pocket, said surface extending upwardlyfrom the lower edge of the plate elements that make up said centerportion; and connection means joining said plate elements whereby theymay undergo independent upward vertical movement relative to saidhorizontal surface.

5. A guard for use with a rotatable cutting disc that is disposedadjacent to a member having a horizontal surface, said disc beingarranged at a right angle to said horizontal surface, comprising: aplurality of horizontally stacked plate elements that cooperate todefine a center portion disposed between a pair of outer portions, thelower edges of all said plate elements normally resting upon saidhorizontal surface, and said center portion being formed with anupwardly extending disc-receiving pocket; at "ertical surface formed atthe lower front portion of said pocket, said surface extending upwardlyfrom the lower edge of the plate elements that make up said centerportion; a downwardly and rearwardly inclined surface connecting thefront ends of the upper and lower edgs of said plate elements; and,connection means joining said plate elements whereby they may undergoindependent upward vertical movement relative to said horizontalsurface.

6. A guard for use with a rotatable cutting disc that is disposedadjacent to a member having a horizontal surface, said disc beingarranged at a right angle to said nection means joining said plateelements whereby they may undergo independent upward vertical movementrelative to said horizontal surface.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,255,886 Jones Feb. 12, 1918 1,563,317 Auel Dec. 1, 1925 1,879,280James Sept. 27, 1932 2,406,979 Wolfe Sept. 3, 1946

